The Hidden Trauma of Leaving the LDS Church and the Fallout of Excommunication

The Fractured Faith: Why Members Leave

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has long projected an image of unity and divine purpose. Yet beneath this veneer lies a growing exodus fueled by trauma, disillusionment, and systemic failures. Through interviews, legal documents, and leaked internal records, we discovered the multifaceted reasons members abandon the faith—and the devastating consequences they face.

1. Sexual Abuse and Institutional Betrayal

Coverups and Clergy Confidentiality: Recordings from Idaho reveal how church attorney Paul Rytting discouraged a bishop from testifying in a child abuse case, invoking clergy-penitent privilege to protect the perpetrator. The abuser, a former bishop, was excommunicated but never criminally charged, leaving survivors like Chelsea Goodrich in legal limbo.

Worthiness Interviews: Former bishop Sam Young was excommunicated in 2018 after protesting sexually explicit interviews with minors. Over 21,000 petition signers and 800 trauma testimonies cite bishops probing masturbation, sexual orientation, and assault details—practices linked to PTSD and suicidal ideation.

Systemic Neglect: Lawsuits in California and Utah allege church leaders reinstated known predators like Michael Shean, enabling further abuse. Victims report being silenced or blamed, with one survivor describing self-castration attempts to escape shame.

2. Doctrinal Disillusionment

Historical Deception: Many leave after discovering Joseph Smith’s polygamy, including his marriage to 14-year-old Helen Mar Kimball. The church’s sanitized history, dubbed "Sunday School history," fuels cognitive dissonance.

The Book of Mormon’s Validity: Former members cite archaeological and genetic inconsistencies (e.g., no evidence of Nephites/Lamanites) as catalysts for faith crises. The CES Letter, a document critiquing church claims, is a common tipping point.

Racism and Discrimination: The church’s past teachings on the "Curse of Cain" and current policies labeling same-sex marriage "apostasy" alienate members. One biracial survivor recounts being told to "act white" in church.

3. Financial and Emotional Exploitation

Tithing Trauma: Members contribute 10% income for temple access, even during financial hardship. Leaked records show a $100+ billion investment portfolio, sparking outrage when pandemic aid was withheld.

Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS): Symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal ideation. One mother describes her son’s collapse after losing faith: "He slept 20 hours a day… it was emotional trauma, not sin".

The Cost of Leaving: Trauma and Fallout

Leaving the LDS Church is rarely a clean break. The social, familial, and psychological toll is profound:

1. Excommunication as Spiritual Violence

Public Shaming: Disciplinary councils, led by untrained bishops, often prioritize church reputation over compassion. Excommunicated members describe feeling "erased" from communal memory.

Family Estrangement: Temple-sealed families fracture when one member leaves. Parents may cut ties, fearing eternal separation. One ex-member recalls: "My mother chose the church over me".

2. Suicide and Self-Harm

While exact numbers are obscured, testimonies cite 97 accounts of suicidal ideation and two suicides directly tied to worthiness interviews. LGBTQ+ youth, told their identity is "sinful," face elevated risks.

3. Financial Ruin

Lost Inheritance: Disfellowshipped members lose access to tithing-funded welfare. One family survived on "grade D cheese" from church pantries while leaders hoarded billions.

Legal Battles: Survivors suing the church face nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) and sealed records. Chelsea Goodrich was offered "hundreds of thousands" to stay silent.

The Unseen Crisis: Speculation on an AI Audit

An Elon Musk-style audit, leveraging AI to analyze leaked documents and financial trails, could expose:

Hidden Abuse Reports: The church’s "Helpline," designed to shield clergy from liability, may have suppressed thousands of abuse cases.

Tax Evasion: The $100+ billion Ensign Peak fund, revealed in 2019, might show further misuse of tax-exempt status.

Leadership Complicity: AI could cross-reference disciplinary records with predator reinstatements, implicating high-ranking officials in coverups.

The Future of LDS Leadership - Prediction (2025–2033)

Legal Reckoning: Mounting lawsuits and whistleblowers will force transparency. States may revoke clergy-penitent privilege protections.

Membership Collapse: With growth rates below 1%, ward closures and temple vacancies will accelerate. Younger generations reject authoritarianism and secrecy.

Reform or Fracture: The church may splinter, mirroring the 1844 succession crisis, as progressive factions demand Holy Bible ONLY ( NO LDS Doctrine) inclusion and historical accountability.

A House Divided

The LDS Church stands at a crossroads: confront its trauma or collapse under the weight of its secrets. For survivors like Sam Young and Chelsea Goodrich, justice remains elusive. Yet their courage—and the rise of AI-driven accountability—offers hope that even the most entrenched power structures can fall.

This report is dedicated to the countless unnamed survivors. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.